Frazier told reporters Wednesday he has made a decision on whether to go with Christian Ponder or Josh Freeman but doesn't plan to reveal his choice until Friday.

"I hope it makes a difference," Frazier said. "I don't know if it will. Everybody comes in saying we've got to stop number 28 (reigning MVP Adrian Peterson), so it doesn't always make a difference. But it's not necessary to have to divulge anything on Wednesday. "

Ponder took the first rep in individual drills Wednesday, followed by Matt Cassel and Freeman, who sat out Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers because of a concussion suffered six nights earlier in his Vikings debut against the New York Giants.

Freeman struggled in that start and Ponder wasn't much better in his return to the lineup Sunday. But Frazier said earlier in the week Cassel, who led the Vikings to their only win Sept. 29 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in London, won't be considered for the job.

Asked how substantial of a setback the concussion was for Freeman, who signed Oct. 8 after his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Frazier said, "It definitely makes a difference when you come in as late as he did and then to have to miss the amount of time he missed last week as you're trying to develop him and help him learn the offense — it definitely sets him back a little bit.

"But you really can't do anything about that. We're working as hard as we can this week to get him back up to speed and see where he is from a physical and mental standpoint."

Matthews nearing return?

While his teammates are getting ready for their Monday Night Football showdown with archrival Chicago, Clay Matthews will be at the doctor's office.

The Green Bay Packers standout linebacker hasn't played since breaking his right thumb against Detroit on Oct. 6. He said Wednesday he will get the pins removed from the thumb on Monday. He won't play against the Bears that night, but if he can return Nov. 10 against Philadelphia, he will have missed only four games.

The Packers take a four-game winning streak into Monday night's game at Lambeau Field, with three of those victories coming with their star defensive player sidelined.

Foles returns as Eagles' starter

Nick Foles will be back at quarterback for the Eagles when they play the Raiders on Sunday.

Two weeks after suffering a concussion, Foles will start in place of Michael Vick, who is out for the second time this season with a hamstring injury. Rookie Matt Barkley will be Foles' backup vs. Oakland (3-4).

Eagles coach Chip Kelly made the announcement Wednesday after watching Foles take part in Tuesday's practice.

"Nick did really well," Kelly said. "I know he was cleared, but just because he was cleared, we (still) really needed to see him. I hadn't really had a chance to visit with him, so to get to watch him on the field, I was really happy with the way Nick practiced."

Philadelphia (3-5) is still just one game out of first place in the NFC East.

Bills QB situation up in air again

Buffalo Bills quarterback Thad Lewis has missed practice Wednesday because of sore ribs and is "50-50" to play Sunday against the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs, coach Doug Marrone says.

Rookie Jeff Tuel and free-agent addition Matt Flynn split the first-team reps. Starting quarterback EJ Manuel remains out for the next game with a knee injury.

The Bills (3-5) have lost three of four in preparing to host the Chiefs (8-0).

Lewis continued playing despite being hurt on the first play from scrimmage in a 35-17 loss at New Orleans on Sunday. Lewis had taken off on a run up the left side, when linebacker David Hawthorne struck the quarterback with a helmet-first hit into the right ribs. Lewis fumbled the ball and had difficulty getting off the field.

Lewis, who lost another fumble and threw an interception, finished 22 of 39 for 234 yards and a touchdown in making his third consecutive start. He was promoted off the practice squad three weeks ago to take over after rookie Manuel sprained his right knee.

Manuel returned to practice for the first time on Wednesday since being hurt in a 37-24 loss at Cleveland on Oct. 30. He practiced on a limited basis, and isn't expected to be ready to play for at least another week.

Tuel, out of Washington State, showed he wasn't ready to play at the NFL level in replacing Manuel against Cleveland. He went 8 of 20 for 80 yards, and threw an interception that was returned for a game-sealing touchdown in the final two minutes.

The Bills spent the next two weeks scrambling to address their lack of experienced depth at quarterback. Aside from promoting Lewis from the practice squad, they signed Flynn on Oct. 14, a week after he was cut by the Oakland Raiders.

Flynn is on his third team in less than a year after finishing last season in Seattle. He went 22 of 34 for 246 yards with a touchdown and interception in two appearances with the Raiders.

Titans lose former starting C

The Tennessee Titans have placed center Rob Turner on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury and signed veteran offensive lineman Pat McQuistan to take his place on the roster.

The Titans announced the moves Wednesday.

Turner started the first six games at center before being replaced by rookie Brian Schwenke. The 6-foot-6, 338-pound McQuistan was with the Titans for part of training camp in 2011, and he has played in 72 games with 11 starts over seven seasons.

The Bengals put safety Taylor Mays on injured reserve Wednesday with a dislocated right shoulder, ending his season.

Mays hurt the shoulder while making a tackle on the final play in the first half of a 49-9 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. The Bengals (6-2) suffered several significant injuries, leaving them short-handed for a game on Thursday night at Miami (3-4).

Cincinnati's defense also is missing cornerback Leon Hall, out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury. Middle linebacker Rey Maualuga hurt his left knee and suffered a concussion on Sunday. Defensive tackle Devon Still is out with an elbow injury. Defensive end Wallace Gilberry (groin) and Michael Boley (hamstring) are limited.

Also, left tackle Andrew Whitworth injured his right knee.

Panthers RB close to return

Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart says he's "ready" to play after sitting out the last 11 months with an ankle injury.

Stewart went through his first padded practice Wednesday since injuring his ankle last November and says he's hopeful the Panthers will allow him to play Sunday against Atlanta.

Stewart would have to be activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list by Saturday for him to be eligible for the Atlanta game.

Coach Ron Rivera wouldn't say if the Panthers would activate Stewart but says he "had a good day" and "will be ready if he's needed."

When pressed on the matter, Rivera leaned away from the microphones on the podium in front of him and whispered to reporters in the front row "read between the lines."

Dolphins O-line likely won't have Martin

Miami right tackle Jonathan Martin is doubtful for the Dolphins' game Thursday night against Cincinnati because of illness, signaling a likely change in the offensive line for the second consecutive week.

Martin would be replaced by Tyson Clabo, who was benched a week ago after the Dolphins traded for tackle Bryant McKinnie. Pass protection has been a problem all season for Miami, and Ryan Tannehill has been sacked an NFL-high 32 times.

Martin hasn't practiced this week. Backup tight end Dion Sims also is doubtful because of a toe injury.